1920’s
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The Siege of Waterford: July 1922
Two hundred and seventy-three years after Cromwell bombarded Waterford City, in July 1922 Waterford City again came under siege. After a four day battle the City fell to the Free State Troops and the Republican, or anti-Treaty forces, that had previously controlled the City were ousted. The account of the siege below is extracted from an article that appeared in the Munster Express (Sat. 22 July 1922, p. 6) and readers may recognise several of the landmarks and buildings that came under fire.
When the Civil War broke out in Dublin in June, the Republican troops in charge of Waterford City took precautions and nightly raised the drawbridge that spanned the River Suir and connected Waterford City to Kilkenny. The Republican troops also commandeered motor cars, clothing and other necessities. They isolated the city by removing the wireless apparatus from the barracks as well as from three of the steamers in the port. Systematically newspapers from Dublin and England were destroyed.
Sunday 16 July 1922
On Sunday the 16th of July, word reached the Waterford City Republican forces that the Free State forces had left Kilkenny City bound for Waterford. The Republican forces raised the bridge at 8 p.m. instead of Midnight and ordered the vessels docked on the Kilkenny side of the river to move to the Waterford side.
Tuesday 18 July 1922
Tuesday the bridge remained closed and was only opened at about 1:30 p.m. to allow a funeral to proceed to County Kilkenny. Large numbers of people assembled on the quays as it was believed that the Free State forces were near Waterford. People and goods arriving at the train station were ferried across the river on boats. About 6:50 p.m. Free State troops were seen on the brow of the hill over Sallypark. The crowds were startled by the loud report of machine gun and rifle fire from the Republican forces in Waterford City. As a result one of the Free State volunteers, named Costeloe, was wounded. He became the first casualty of the Battle for Waterford when he died on Thursday in the Infirmary.
The Free State troops returned fire and from 7 to 10 p.m. sniping across the river continued. The Republicans in the city took over the following buildings: Adelphia Hotel, Country Club, Reginald’s Tower, Granville Hotel, Munster Express Office, Andrew Farrell’s corn stores and S. Phelan’s stores. Amazingly large crowds remained on the quays watching the cross fire…”at this juncture the people did not fully appreciate the danger to which they were exposing themselves…”
Wednesday 19 July 1922
On Wednesday morning sniping resumed. When the Republican forces observed activity on the Kilkenny side of the river machine guns rattled from the jail. The Free State troops brought an 18 pounder field gun (artillery) into position across the Golf Links and placed it on a rock overlooking the city.
At 10:40 a.m. the first shots of the bombardment by artillery were fired into Waterford city. It started with a couple of range finding shrapnel shells but the Free State troops quickly moved on to high explosive shells. The targets were the military barracks and the jail at Ballybricken. “Many houses in Barrack street, in the immediate vicinity of the barrack had been evacuated, and later many people in the neighbourhood of the barracks and jail took refuge in Tramore.” In total thirty-six shells were fired on Wednesday most of them were direct hits. However, some shells fell on the Hurley home in Jail street blowing away the roof and chimney. Mrs. Nolan directly opposite the Infantry Barracks suffered a large hole in the front of her house while the Little Sisters of the Poor Convent on Bunker’s Hill had a large portion of their side walls collapse from a shell hit. The Ursuline Convent grounds received two shells but they caused no damage.
In the evening the shells were directed toward the two military barracks. The Republicans evacuated the buildings. After they left a large group of people entered and set fire to the buildings and began looting. A mine in the Infantry Barracks exploded resulting in four casualties “and this had the effect of temporarily suspending the proceedings.”
After dark on Wednesday a number of troops under Captain Mackey, Chairman of the Clonmel Board of Guardians, went three miles downriver to Giles Quay. By boat they crossed over to the Waterford side of the Suir. While the Republicans lay in wait to ambush the party on the road to Waterford, Mackey and his men worked their way along the river bank. At a house about 100 yards to the rear of the County Club they entered and set up a machine gun to cover the principal windows of the Adelphi Hotel. Entering through the back of the County Club Mackey and his men surprised the sentry and took the Club’s garrison prisoner from their beds without a shot being fired. Creeping over the wall between the County Club and the Adelphi Hotel the hotel garrison was also captured in the same fashion. They next moved onto the adjoining Steamship Offices and again captured the sleeping Republicans.
The Imperial Hotel was captured by 12 men, but no armed men were found there. Although a Red Cross flag was posted on the building no doctor or patients were present. The Free State troops then went to Reginald’s Tower but found it was empty. The Republicans vacated leaving behind a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
Thursday 20 July 1922
On Thursday morning the Republican garrison continued to hold the GPO, the Granville Hotel, Ballybricken jail and some sniping posts on the Quay. Having captured the positions on the Mall the Free State troops turned their attention to the Post Office. After extensive small arm and machine gun fire into and from the Post Office six shells were lobbed into the building by the Free State Troops across the river. The Republican garrison abandoned the Post Office and some retreated under fire to the Granville Hotel. Some of this group entered the Granville and others went into Bolger’s Grocery Shop on Barronstrand Street.
The Free State troops continued along the Quay. During the bombardment of the Granville 18 Republicans were captured including Jerry Cronin, Commandant of the Republicans in the City. Bolger’s premises came under attack and was captured by the Free State troops. A group of citizens watched from Cinema corner.
Friday 21 July 1922
Friday morning the Republicans still held Ballybricken Jail, some houses in Ballybricken and Barrack streets and a few sniping posts on the Quay. In the early afternoon the 18 pounder was put into a position near the Ferrybank railway station. While attempting to set up the artillery piece heavy fire was raining down from the jail. Sergent Howlett, a young Free State soldier from Duncannon district, jumped onto a Lancia car with a Lewis gun and though bullets were striking all around him he repeatedly fired on the jail giving the gunners time to move the 18 pounder. Howlett was eventually killed.
Five shells were lobbed into the centre of the jail and the garrison of 15 evacuated via Chapel Lane. As the Republicans left the looters moved in. Within 20 minutes the Free State troops were at the jail and began to deal with the looters. The jail was the last Republican stronghold and “by evening practically normal conditions had been restored within Waterford.”
It isn’t clear from the newspaper account when the Free State troops lowered the bridge but there is an account that the operation had to be performed by hand because part of the machinery had been removed. It took some hours to lower the bridge by hand, so while the work was in progress the Free State troops raked the hill opposite with machine gun and rifle fire to prevent snipers from firing on the men lowering the bridge.
Throughout the battle volunteers distributed milk and bread to citizens of the City who did not flee the fighting. Within a few days the railways were working again and the Post Office, and searches by the Free State troops were carried out for loot taken.
Casualties
The following casualties were listed in the Munster Express:
[1] John Joseph Dwan, a native of Portarlington, married aged 25, shot dead in Olaf Street, near the Franciscan Church on Wednesday.
[2] William Long (40) a carpenter of Bath Street Waterford. Shot in the head on Wednesday near the Catholic Cathedral;
[3] Martin Flynn (14) of 88 Doyle Street, was badly burned on his face and hands by the explosion at the Infantry Barracks;
[4] John Grant (17) of Thomas’s Avenue, suffered injury to his legs by the same explosion;
[5] Thomas Costello, of the Upper Yellow Road, was wounded in the left arm on the Quay on Wednesday; [6] Patrick Kiely (18) of Brown’s lane, was seriously wounded in the neck by a bullet which “cut close to his to his spinal column;
[7] Patrick Cullen [23] of 5 Francis Court was knocked down by a motor car and badly injured;
[8] Michael Keeffe (66) of Bachelor’s Walk suffered a bullet wound;
[9] William McBride, a fitter on the GSWR and native of Thurles, received a bullet wound in his leg at North Station on Wednesday morning;
[10] Michael Callaghan (23) of Mayor’s Walk, was badly burned all over his body by the explosion in the Infantry Barracks;
[11] Mary Hearne (15) of Shortcourse, was seriously injured losing part of a foot and suffering severe burns at the Infantry Barracks explosion;
[12] James Dalton (19) of Barrack Street and
[13] George Calvin of Sallypark was injured in a “motor accident.”
[14] John Doyle was wounded in the Post Office shortly before it was evacuated. He received wounds in the face, mouth, nose and hands but it was reported that he was expected to recover;
[15] Michael Callaghan of Mayor’s Walk, died in the City and County Infirmary on Saturday from injuries received in the explosion of the Infantry Barracks magazine;
[16] Emily Decourcy (10) of Miller’s Marsh, died in the Infirmary on Sunday afternoon. During a lull in the fighting on Friday she went up to get bread and she was shot through the stomach near the jail;
[17] Volunteer McCarthy, of the Free State forces, a native of Slate Quarries, Carrick-on-Suir, was struck by a bullet which lodged in his knee on Friday while clearing looters away from the jail;
[18] Martin Flynn, of Doyle Street, was shot in the side outside the jail on Friday evening, but received only a flesh wound;
[19] William Stafford, (aged 13 1/2) of Monastery Street, had two fingers and half of his right thumb blown off on Friday when he picked up a detonator which he picked up in the Infantry Barracks;
[20] Michael Walsh was wounded in the hand by a richochetting (sic) bullet, and some of his tendons were severed;
[21] J. McGrath (33) of Peter Street was shot through the stomach on the Quay and died in the Infirmary; [22] Patrick Hutchinson (40) of Ballybricken, a single labourer was shot through the stomach and also died in the Infirmary;
[23] Michael Cuddehy (16), Newport’s Lane was admitted to the hospital with a bullet wound in the leg; [24] Volunteers Howlett and [25] Costello were killed in the advance on Waterford and were buried in their respective counties of Wexford and Tipperary.
For further information on local events in July 1922 see our blog post of 11 July 2022.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is from the Handbook for the Q.F. 18-pr. gun, Mk. IV on carriages, field, Mks. III, IIIt, III and IV (Land Service), 1921 courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: July 1922
Tensions over the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the partition of Ireland continued into 1922. In June of 1922 elections were held in the Free State. Pro-treaty candidates won the majority of seats. The Civil War broke out shortly thereafter. Much has been written regarding the Battle for Dublin between Free State troops and Anti-Treaty Republican forces. Today, we are going to focus on events that occurred local to Glenmore as reported in contemporary local newspapers in July 1922.
Due to the length of the materials gleaned from local newspapers we will include the “Siege of Waterford” in our next post. In July 1922 the Anti-Treaty Forces were referred to by various names by various newspapers including Irregulars, Republicans and Executive Troops.
Fatal Typhoid Case in Glenmore
It was reported in the Munster Express that Mr. Patrick Dunphy, S.S.O. (Sub-Sanitary Officer), reported that owing to the recent fatal case of typhoid fever in the neighbourhood of Glenmore he made a thorough inspection of the village a short time ago. There were complaints made to him about the large number of pigs housed and fed in the village.
As the village was congested and low lying, he impressed upon the residents the necessity of keeping their places in a sanitary condition. In the greater number of cases the yards and out-offices were clean and well kept. One or two yards were unsatisfactory, as manure heaps were not removed, but since his visit the state of things had been remedied. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
Impact of the Battle for Dublin
The Munster Express reported at the beginning of July that the Battle for Dublin commenced when Lt. General O’Connell, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Free State Army, was captured late at night in Dublin by what the newspaper referred to as Irregulars (Anti-Treaty troops). O’Connell was detained in the Four Courts as a hostage for exchange for Leo Henderson and others. Troops of the Irish Free State surrounded the Four Courts and demanded the garrison surrender.
When an armoured car was fired upon by the Irregulars two eighteen pound artillery pieces were fired at the Four Courts. Both sides used machine guns and the fighting lasted all day Wednesday the 27th of June. Dublin was completely isolated from telephone communications and no trains were allowed to enter the city. Up to Thursday afternoon there were 15 people killed and 37 wounded. A number of the casualties were civilians. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
New Ross Man Killed
An 18-year-old New Ross man working at the Ormonde Hotel, Dublin was one of the civilian casualties. “The body of Willie Doyle, Robert St., New Ross, who was killed at the door of the Ormonds Hotel, Dublin, on Wednesday of last week during the fighting, was brought to New Ross on Thursday night. Mr. F. J. Mackey and the deceased’s brother journeyed to Dublin in a motor car on Thursday. They were unable to get the car into the city, and having succeeded in reaching the hospital they got the body out in a hearse. In the same hospital were a number of dead bodies awaiting identification.”
They reached New Ross some time after midnight. When they reached the Ferry Mountgarrett bridge it was drawn some hours previous by the Executive Forces (Anti-Treaty Forces). They were expecting Free State Forces to try to cross it to take New Ross. The coffin was transported in a boat, and the military had it placed in a lorry, and it was then taken to the home of his parents. The deceased was employed in the Ormonde Hotel for the previous year. It was reported he came out of the door to assist a wounded officer who fell there and got struck by a bullet beneath the heart and died about ten minutes later.
“He was a member of the Fianna in New Ross and was a great favourite with everyone in the town who knew him. The deepest sympathy is felt with his bereaved parents and the members of the family. The funeral on Friday evening to St. Mary’s Cemetery was of huge dimensions and representative of all classes and creeds. The coffin, which was draped with a large tri-colour flag, was borne on the shoulders of the IRA. The IRA with rifles reversed also formed a guard of honour. Preceding the coffin and following it were a large number of the Fianna and also members of the Cumam na mBan, all carrying wreaths…Three volleys were fired over the grave by the IRA.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 3)
Tullogher Man Killed
Another local man killed in Dublin during the fighting was Mr. G. Walsh, Glenpipe, Tullogher. At the time of reporting his death the New Ross Standard was unable to report on which side he was fighting. His remains were brought home via New Ross, in a motor on Tuesday the 4th of July. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 6)
GPO & Four Courts
On Thursday the 28th of June the Waterford G.P.O. (General Post Office) and branch offices were closed about 2:30 pm when the Postmaster General, J.J. Walsh, TD sent out a notice instructing the suspension of all services including telegraph and telephone. During Wednesday and Thursday morning, prior to the notice, IRA censors had been placed in the telephone department by order of the local City Commandant of the Anti-Treaty garrison in the City. None of the other postal departments were interfered with prior to the closing. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
The Four Courts fell on Friday the 30th of June to Free State forces. Fighting continued in Dublin during the week mainly in O’Connell Street. The Republicans lodged themselves on the north side of the street. The buildings they occupied included: the Gresham Hotel, Hammons Hotel, Tramway Offices, Sackville Hall etc. Shortly after noon on Wednesday the 5th of July the Hamman Hotel burst into flames. By late Wednesday afternoon ten buildings including three hotels were ablaze. (Munster Express, Sat. 8 July 1922, p. 5).
Frustration of Citizens
An editorial in the New Ross Standard entitled “From Bad to Worse” perhaps reflects the frustration of citizens.
“The situation in Ireland shows no sign of settlement. There are unrest and fighting everywhere and the populace simply lives in dread of what may occur next. The situation is nearly as bad as it was a year or more ago when the English myrmaidons (sic) patrolled the country. There has been fighting in Dublin resulting in the loss of several lives and the wounding of many persons. Now, Irishmen are pitted against Irishmen—brothers in the cause against brother in the cause…Irishmen are murdering and shooting down Irishmen, and there is every prospect that the civil strife will consume the provinces, and that Ireland as a whole may find itself in the same unhappy condition as her grand old capital…Both sides in the conflict declare they are well intentioned, but they differ in opinion regarding Free State and Republic.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 4)
Immediately after the Battle for Dublin, the country braced itself for further battles and bloodshed. Public events were cancelled. The New Ross Regatta planned for the 12th was postponed indefinitely and the New Ross Agricultural Show was postponed to a later date, because of the “condition of things” (New Ross Standard, Friday 7 July 1922, p. 4). At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Aonach Tailteann cancelled the event after receiving a telegram that the American Athletic Union decided it was impossible to send athletes to Ireland because of the fighting in Dublin. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
Local Events
On Friday the 30th of June, Free State troops arrived in Mullinavant and took over the barracks which had been in the possession of the Republicans. The Free State troops gathered up all arms and equipment in the barracks and left. Later a group of Republicans returned to Mullinavat and resident’s homes were smashed and Mr. Nealson, N.T. was shot in his home. As a result of these actions Free State troops again came from Kilkenny City and arrested Pat Aylward, of Knockmoylan and Richard Kenneally of Ballynooney. It was also reported that the main road between Waterford and Kilkenny was blocked by felled trees.
Employing the same techniques used against the Black and Tans the Anti-Treaty forces cut telegraph wires and stopped telegraphic communications between Waterford, Cork, Dublin and London. Five railway bridges between Dublin and Belfast were blown up causing the suspension of railway traffic between the cities. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5) English newspapers arriving at New Ross railway station on Wednesday, were seized by the IRA, taken away and burned. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 6)
An Executive Forces soldier named Duggan, a native of Cork, was admitted to Waterford Infirmary suffering from a bullet wound to his thigh. It appears that Volunteer Duggan, with two others, went to the house of H.R. Hamilton, estate agent, on Sunday night to seek billets for their company. They were fired upon as they approached the house. Hamilton was placed under arrest. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
Aylwardstown Bridge Blown Up
The resumption of train services announced on Wednesday, the 20th of July, on the D.S.E. Railway between Waterford and Dublin was short lived. On Thursday a small bridge near Aylwardstown, Glenmore at the Waterford side of Glenmore was blown up.
“A large party of linesmen was immediately despatched from New Ross to effect the necessary repairs, but discovered in time that the bridge had been not only badly damaged but mined. In consequence of the discovery of this veritable death trap they were unable to carry out the work of restoring the bridge to a workable condition, and were compelled to return to New Ross. Technical experts were sent from the latter town for the purpose of disconnecting and removing the mines. The Dublin dailies, which had been sent by this route, were conveyed to Waterford by motor, arriving at 3:30 p.m.” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 July 1922, p. 5)
Michael Gaule of Glenmore
“Shot at Waterford—Following a search carried out by members of the Kilmacow (Co. Kilkenny) IRA on Saturday morning, in consequence of a robbery that had been committed in the district during the night, a man named Michael Gaule, Glenmore, was shot in the chest, and had to be removed to the Waterford Infirmary.”
“Gaule and two companions were found by the IRA search party lying asleep on the railway siding at a place called Milltown, and on awakening it is alleged that Gaule jumped up, grasped the lanyard of one of the IRA men’s revolver, and endeavoured to snatch the weapon from him. A shot was discharged, and Gaule fell wounded. At the Infirmary it was learned that the wound was a very serious one, but hopes were entertained for the injured man’s recovery.” (Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
In our next post we will highlight the July 1922 siege of Waterford City.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is the Aylwardstown, Glenmore railway station.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: June 1922
In keeping with previous reviews of local newspapers from 100 years ago, today we are going to feature local events and news from June 1922 including the General Election and a summary of a local article at the end of the month that informed local readers that a Civil War had commenced.
Glenmore in the News
“Boy’s Narrow Escape—When riding a young horse home from New Ross a boy named Irish from Glenmore had a narrow escape from being killed. Near the Pink Rock the animal reared up and fell backwards on the top of the rider pinning him to the ground. Part of the boy’s skull was fractured, and he was taken to New Ross hospital where he was surgically treated. He is progressing satisfactorily” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 June 1922, p. 4).
June 1922 marked the First Anniversary of the Coolbawn Ambush. A large gathering of people from different parts of the Co. Kilkenny, New Ross, Waterford and Carlow assembled at Coolbawn, Castlecomer, “where two brave IRA officers, Jack Hartley, Glenmore, and his cousin, Nicholas Mullins, lost their lives.” The proceedings were very impressive. An eloquent oration was delivered by the Rev. Father MacNamarra, C.C., and a touching address by Mr. Philip Lemmon, MCC, Brigade Registrar, New Ross. The Rosary was recited for the repose of the souls of the deceased. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 June 1922, p. 4). An Anniversary Office and High Mass was held at Glenmore on Monday the 26th for the late Sean Harley. The members of the Cuman na mBan and several of the IRA were present. The Rev. Father Holohan, P.P., presided and the celebrant was Rev. Father Bergin, C.C. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 June 1922, p. 5). For previous articles concerning Jack Hartley and Nicky Mullins see our previous post of 20 June 2021.
The Glenmore Creamery Co-op showed a reduction in the number of gallons of milk it received during 1921. In 1920, 568,496 gallons were received but only 465,804 were received in 1921. This was due to the creamery being forced to close by order of the British in June 1921. The newspaper went on to note that the 1921 reduction was not an indication of the lowering of milk production in the district. In 1921, 203,066 pounds of butter were made and the Creamery showed a profit available for distribution to shareholders of £672. The newspaper noted that the Glenmore Creamery came through “the troublous period” of the previous year very well (Munster Express, St. 17 June 1922, p. 6).
Sports
Glenmore played in the junior football championship. The opposing team was Curagh. The final was played at the Rower, “and after a good exhibition of football, Glenmore retired winner, the scores being Glenmore 6 points; Curagh, nil (Munster Express, Sat. 10 June 1922, p. 5).
Denis McDonald, of Tullogher, covered himself with glory on Sunday the 18th when he won three first places at the Leinster Championship Sports held in Croke Park. He threw the disc 113 feet 6 inches nearly 9 feet further than his nearest opponent. He hurled the 56 lbs. between legs without follow 25 feet, 4 inches, and cleared the bar with the 56 lbs. at the “magnificent height” of 13 feet, 10 inches. “At the Tailteann Games to be held in Dublin in August it was opined that “some of the premier honours are sure to be captured by the Tullogher boy” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 June 1922, p. 4). For a previous article regarding Glenmore weight thowing click here.
During the last week of June 1922, a large number of Irish Americans arrived in New Ross on a visit to their friends in the town and rural districts. They stated that a big number of people were coming across for the Tailteann Games in Dublin in August (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 June 1922, p. 5).
Dublin & South Eastern Railway
During the month of June the newspapers carried several notices of special excursion trains and fares for events taking place. It appears that people were eager to get back to sport and other entertainments greatly curtailed during the War of Independence. A special excursion train ran from New Ross to Kilkenny for the Co. Kilkenny Feis held on Sunday the 25th of June 1922. Leaving New Ross at 11:15, a third class return fare to Waterford was 2 shillings while passengers joining the train at Glenmore at 11:27 paid 1 shilling. The train arrived in Waterford at 11:45 and departed for Kilkenny at noon arriving at Kilkenny at 1:10 p.m. The Waterford to Kilkenny return ticket was 4 shillings (New Ross Standard, Fri 23 June 1922, p. 1). A special excursion train was also arranged for the Diocesan Choir Festival held at Wexford on the 29th. A single fare was charged for the double journey from various stops including Glenmore. Glenmore residents also had the opportunity to travel via the excursion train to Dublin on the 29th with a first class ticket costing 20 shillings while a third class cost 11 shillings. On 2 July an excursion train was arranged for the Waterford Feis with the train leaving Glenmore at 11:50 with a ticket costing 1 shilling (New Ross Standard, Friday 23 June 1922, p. 1).
Local Farming & Fishing
In a few places near New Ross farmers intended to cut early meadowing at the end of the month. The salmon season was disappointing. With the exception of the first month of the salmon season the season was very poor (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 June 1922, p. 4).
On the night of Thursday, the 15th a number of cattle were driven off the lands of Patrick Foskin, Deerpark, Mullinavat, and put on the lands of a farmer in Bigwood. The reason reported in the newspapers was that Foskin’s sons had taken an active interest in the Pro-Treaty or Free State side. The matter was referred to in condemnatory terms at both Masses in Mullinavat on the following Sunday (Munster Express, Sat. 24 June 1922, p. 6).
Law & Order
The total number of Officers and men of the RIC in Southern Ireland prior to disbandment was approximately 10,000 according to British Parliamentary Papers. No disbanded man was offered or accepted employment under the Provisional Free State Government. Of the 8,000 men disbanded, 5,200 left Ireland. Some of these men who left Ireland enlisted in Great Britain (3,200), and 300 men joined the Palestine Gendarmerie (Munster Express, Sat. 3 June 1922, p. 5).
On the 4th of June a number of Ex-RIC men were served with notice, purporting to come from the IRA, ordering them to leave Kilkenny within a specified time. In a number of cases the order was immediately complied with (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 10 June 1922, p. 5).
In the early hours on Wednesday the 7th of June, “a sensation was created in Mullinavat.” Previously some men were working in Mullinavat in the interest of the Treaty and were arrested. Consequently, Free State troops came down from Kilkenny and, at 2 a.m., rushed the Mullinavat barracks and made prisoners of all the occupants. The prisoners were then taken away in lorries. As a result of a conference in Kilkenny, the prisoners were set at liberty and returned to their quarters in Mullinavat (Munster Express, Sat. 10 June 1922, p. 5).
General Election
A General Election was scheduled for 16 June 1922. Prior to the election, the Labour Election Committee announced that reports from various places in Carlow-Kilkenny were encouraging. On Sunday, the 21st of May, large and enthusiastic meetings were held at Kilmacow, Mooncoin, Mullinavat and Glenmore in Co. Kilkenny (Nationalist & Leinster Times, Sat. 3 June 1922, p. 3). We know from information that Danny Dowling recorded that politicians generally spoke from the stage of the small building near the Village bridge and next to the Glen Bar. This building was removed when the houses were built behind the pub.
Just prior to the General Election it was reported that here were 34,297 voters on the County Kilkenny Register of voters. Voters in selected districts were recoded as: Glenmore 1,517; Kilmacow 2,229; Mullinavat 1,221, Thomastown 1,712 (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 10 June 1922, p. 5). One of the candidates D.J. Gorey, of Burnchurch House, ran as a Farmers’ Union candidate for a Carlow-Kilkenny seat. About 5:30 am on the 4th of June 8 or 9 armed men arrived at Burnchurch House. On hearing the men enter the yard Gorey went to his bedroom window and asked them their business. They asked him to come down to speak to the men, but Gorey declined. He said he would hear whatever they had to say from his window. The leader of the visitors told him to come down or he would have to bear the consequences. Gorey left the window and returned with shotgun which caused his visitors to leave the vicinity of the house. One of Gorey’s workmen was taken prisoner. The visitors subsequently returned to the house and opened fire. Gory had no ammunition in the house and barricaded the window. In the meantime, Mrs. Gorey slipped out of the house and went for help. When she returned with neighbouring farmers the visitors had left. The only damage was the bedroom window smashed by bullets (Munster Express, Sat. 10 June 1922, p. 6).
Ultimately Gorey was elected to one of the four Carlow-Kilkenny seats. Also elected was P. Gaffney (Labour), Alderman Cosgrove (Pro-Treaty), and Major General O’Sullivan (Pro-Treaty). The defeated candidates were both sitting members: E. Aylward (Anti-Treaty) and J. Lennon (Anti-Treaty) (Munster Express, Sat. 24 June 1922, p. 6).
The Waterford News & Star (Fri. 30 June 1922, p. 4) published an article stating that a special courier from Dublin reported that on the 28th “irregulars” or anti-treaty fighters seized various buildings in the centre and suburban areas of Dublin. One of the buildings seized was the Four Courts. Free State troops entered the Four Courts and took 33 Anti-Treaty forces prisoner. The streets were dangerous and no fewer than 11 civilians were killed, while 25 were wounded. Business was at a standstill. The Beggar’s Bush official bulletin that was released stated, “after considerable fighting during the course of yesterday evening our troops succeeded in dislodging the irregulars from the greater part of the Four Courts.” The fragile peace ended.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com. We would be interested in learning the first name of the Irish boy injured in June 1922 near the Pink Rock.
Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the featured c. 1924 photo of the Glenmore Creamery.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Players in the Leinster Senior Football Final 1922
In the 1920 County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship, finished in February 1922, Glenmore played Cloneen (Castlecomer), thus a team from the south of the county played a team from the north. In November 1922 when the County Kilkenny team was being selected for the Leinster Senior Football Final nine members of the 1920 Glenmore County Champion team were selected and five members of Cloneen. It is not known which Kilkenny club the 15th player belonged. It was reported in the Kilkenny People concerning the Leinster Final that the historic struggles that ensued from the 1920 County Championship battle between Glenmore and Cloneen were still fresh in the memory of all Kilkenny Gaels (Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1). For details concerning the final game of the 1920 Kilkenny Senior Football Championship, played in February 1922, see our post of 20 February 2022.
Two attempts in 1922 to schedule the Leinster Senior Football Final were cancelled due to the persistent Great Southern railway strikes. After consulting with the officials in Kilkenny it was decided “to refix in Croke Park, irrespective of the rail situation.” A Dublin newspaper declared this to be a sensible course to “get rid of arrears of work as quickly as possible,” although it was conceded that it would prove difficult for the Kilkenny followers to attend the match in Dublin without the train services. It was reported that the ready acquiescence of the Kilkenny Gaels heralded a “refreshing confidence in their capacity to make a bold bid for three provincial honours…against the accomplished and formidable Dublin champions (Sport, Sat. 4 Nov. 1922, p. 4) which is at odds with the fact that the Kilkenny People noted that the battle between Glenmore and Cloneen was still fresh.
The Kilkenny team that played at the Leinster Final was reported as follows: J. Hanrahan, M. Connolly, J. Fitzgerald, P. Hughes, J. Coady, A. Brennan, M. Coady, A. Heffernan, P. Hartley, J. McKenna, W. Irish, Jas. Phelan, T. Brennan, W. Landy, P. Dalton (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1). The GAA Bible, on the other hand, lists the team as: Martin Cody (Capt.), Andy Heffernan, Paddy Hanley, I. Phelan, Bill Irish, P. Cody, Jimmy Hanrahan, Mick Connolly, John Fitzgerald, Paddy Dalton, Andy Brennan, Paddy Hughes, Tom Brennan, Jack McKenna, and Watt Landy. (Gerry O’Neil, Kilkenny GAA Bible 2018, p. 134). It is not known why the two lists differ slightly, but it appears that the first nine players in the GAA Bible list were the Glenmore players.
The Leinster Final Game
The travel difficulties did impact on attendance and “a couple of the chosen [Kilkenny] team were held up en route” to the match (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 7). It was estimated that only about 10,000 people were present in Croke Park on Sunday the 5th of November 1922 for the Senior Leinster Football Championship. However, it was stated in press reports that the attendance figure was not official (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1). What was agreed in all press reports was the fact that the weather was poor. It was a dull evening, with sharp showers (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 7). In the second half a “great change came over the weather … A strong wind swept up the field and sleets of rain made matters worse. Dublin had the advantage of the wind, but Kilkenny fought gamely to the end,” (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1).
Most of the following account of the Leinster Final was reported in the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 7) with additional details gleaned from other newspapers.
“Kilkenny were first away, and had a fine point by Connolly in the first five minutes. The Synotts, Carey and M’Donnell sent Dublin into Kilkenny ground soon after, but the Kilkenny defence, led by Irish, held out, and Dalton in goal, when called upon, proved reliable, as he did all through the game.”
“Fluctuation of fortune were fast and vigorous, but Kilkenny were giving a flattering display. The Dublin lot were entertaining, however, and in a sharp attack. P. M’Donnell equalised with a minor. Very interesting play followed, in which every sector participated, and no further scoring ensued for a long time, till Fitzgerald sent over a flying point for Kilkenny. The game continued an excellent one, Kilkenny being very good and M’Kenna was very prominent in initiating dangerous assaults which the Dublin backs found it hard to cope with. There was no decided superiority on either side, and at the interval Kilkenny led with 2 points to 1 for Dublin.”
“The resumption soon saw the Metropolitans exerting their clever tactics, and despite a vigorous Kilkenny struggle the champions settled down into Kilkenny ground. Scores were not easily got, however, and any opportune chances were ably frustrated, till Reilly sent down for P. M’Donnel to secure and equalise with a point.”
“With only the goalman to beat on two occasions in the second half, Connolly was disgracefully pulled down by one of the Dublin backs.” The Kilkenny correspondent opined, “A simple free kick is certainly not sufficient punishment for such a mean foul”(Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1).
“The Kilkenny defence, including the goal man, a veteran of 1911, was good throughout, and frustrated the wiliest of Dublin attack, which, however, could not altogether be denied.” Kilkenny’s power of penetration was almost completely curbed during the second half.”
“The Dublin half line were invulnerable, and Kilkenny were constantly defending; but some of the Dublin finishes were very wild. A lead was a long time coming, however, but Dublin at length got ahead when M’Donnell shot a nice minor. Play was still in Kilkenny ground, and Shanahan added a point, which M’Donnell supplemented very soon after.”
“It was hard luck when Connolly (who played a great game) with the Dublin goalie beaten, struck the base of the post on the inside with a great shot. Dublin’s goal a few minutes later had a charmed escape when Kilkenny stormed and the ball was swept in… Kilkenny’s goalman had several great ovations for his brilliant saves. He was not to blame for the only goal that entered his net—it was a soft shot, and came through several players, and Dalton was completely unsighted”(Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1).
“Robbins contributed a point before the final whistle, and Dublin had won well on the score: Dublin—1 goal, 7 points; Kilkenny—2 points.”
The Kilkenny People summed up that it was a thrilling game in the first half, when weather and ground were favourable and Kilkenny simply “snowed” Dublin. However, Kilkenny missed some scoring opportunities in the first half where three frees should have yielded points in the opening stages of the match, and missed two frees in the closing stages of the match (Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 1) The Kilkenny Moderator similarly concluded that, “It was not a great final by any means. The opening half, in which Kilkenny played a fine, dashing game, and held Dublin at all points, was up to a good standard, but in the end the field craft and combination of Dublin prevailed. The second half was altogether in Dublin’s favour, and they dominated the game in an unmistakable fashion” (Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 7).
Perhaps the most interesting Dublin newspaper article concerning the final is found in Sport, which also recognised the impact of the railway strikes on the Kilkenny team being able to practice. “Kilkenny gave a wonderfully virile and effective display, and held their experienced opponents well. They adopted admirable tactics for a team short of collective practice, played a fast, loose, bustling game, and maintained it splendidly to the interval…The scorer for Kilkenny in the first half was Connolly (a smart and opportune forward), but Cody and Fitzgerald gave fine assistance, both showing great forward qualities. For a team however, which has been so hampered in practice, without regular matches, and deprived at the last moment of selected players, Kilkenny did grandly. With the exception of one veteran—the goalman, Dalton—who saved his posts in extremis repeatedly, they are all a young team with limitless possibilities when trained in the proper manner” (Sport, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 14).
Although the Kilkenny team did not win the Leinster Senior Football Final in November 1922, it is a remarkable feat that 9 of the 15 members of the Kilkenny team were Glenmore players, and with little opportunity for collective practice with their rivals Cloneen, this team of rivals showed great promise.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above of the Leinster flag drawn by Setana Saki, based on the 1651 Arms of Leinster and the work is available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Leinster.svg with use permitted under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: April 1922
A review of the local newspapers revealed that while crime continued to be a problem across the country fewer criminal events were reported in local newspapers in April 1922. As the Free State set about governing, in April 1922 it encountered various difficulties from political meetings being disrupted to evicted farmers seeking redress in the newly established Irish Free State courts. A 25 year old Glenmore eviction case was such a case that made its way into the new Irish courts.
Disruption of Pro-Treaty Meetings
On the first of the month the Munster Express (Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 2) published an article describing a Pro-Treaty meeting held in Waterford. Michael Collins was accompanied by Joe McGrath, Sean Milroy and Ernest Blythe. The anti-Treaty side cut the railway signal lines which caused the speakers’ train to be delayed in arriving. When the meeting did commence De Valera spoke without disturbance, yet the Free State speakers were subjected to what the newspaper described as persistent and organised interruption by a party of 50 to 60 young men and women who sang and cheered drowning out the speakers. When Collins and the other speakers set off for Dungarvan the roads were blocked making them take a longer route. Upon arriving they were standing on a lorry and beginning to address the crowd when a man jumped into the lorry and attempted to drive off with Collins and his fellow pro-Treaty speakers.
On the 9th of April a “monster” pro-Treaty meeting was scheduled for Wexford. The Dublin and South Eastern Railway in support of the Treaty offered special fare to a Monster Meeting. Michael Collins was also scheduled to address this meeting. The special train left Waterford at 10:30 and Glenmore at 10:47. A third class return fare cost 4 shillings (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 April 1922, p. 1). Not content to cause a delay to the speakers, on this occasion two sections of track were removed which would have derailed the Dublin train except for the fact that a railway ganger while walking the track early that morning discovered the sabotage.
Co. Kilkenny Registered Voters
There were 34,297 voters on the 1922-23 Register of Co. Kilkenny. The number of voters registered in each of the polling districts were published and here are a local selection: Glenmore, 1517; Kilmacow 2,229; Mullinavat, 1,221; Piltown, 2,228; and Thomastown, 1,712. The Co. Kilkenny registrar was H.H. Langrishe, Clerk of the Peace assisted by Fred Chambers (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 April 1922, p. 4).
Glenmore Women in the News
The Community of Mount Carmel, New Ross, acknowledged receipt of subscriptions and gifts from 8 April 1922…nearly half the page of the newspaper contained the long list of donors, and within the list were the following Glenmore donors: Mrs. Duggan, Glenmore, 10 s; Mrs. Breen, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs; Mrs. Hynes, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs. Friends that promised farm produce were asked to deliver it to the Convent by the 15th (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 8).
Monument for Sean Hartley
“Steps are being taken to erect a monument to the late Sean Hartley, Glenmore, 5th Batt., Co. Kilkenny I.R.A., and who was killed in the Coolbawn ambush on last June. A month ago the people of the Co. Kilkenny and Wexford, and some from Carlow for the second time demonstrated their love and veneration for a brave soldier who gave his life for his country, by attending in large numbers at Glenmore when the remains were removed to the family grave almost facing the church door in the beautiful cemetery where lie the ashes of one who was gentle as a child yet brave as a lion in battle for his country’s cause. Trustees for the fund have been appointed, and there is no doubt but everyone who knew brave Sean Hartley and the thousands who heard of him will contribute toward the erection of a monument worthy of the man” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 7).
Ship Wreck in New Ross
In early April a steamer with 160 tons of flour arrived from Liverpool. The cargo was for John Butler a merchant on John Street, New Ross. While the ship was berthed at New Ross it snaped its mooring, turned on its side, got stuck and when the tide came in the water swept over it. An attempt was made by the town fire engine to pump the water from the engine room and after two hours work it had to be stopped (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 3). The cargo was estimated to be worth £3,000, and 40 tons were pulled from the vessel and placed on the quay. The flour disappeared and at the next tide several bags of flour floated from the vessel and the newspaper described the scene of poor people rushing to secure the floating bags. Several people proceeded up the town with ten stone bags of flour on their backs and water dripping from the bags. “Loads of flour were sold to farmers by people in the town, and it was reported that some of it exchanged hands at prices from 3s. to 10s. per bag (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 April 1921, p. 3).
25 Year Old Glenmore Eviction Case
In the District Court of the Thomastown Courthouse a 90-year-old Glenmore man, Michael Walsh, and his daughter Mary Anne Walsh, sued Matthew Cottrell, of Ballycroney, Glenmore for compensation. The case was heard by: George Dooley (chair); Commandant J. Walsh; J.F. Drennan, Co. C.; Michael Delahunty and Sean O’Duffy (representing the Minister for Home Affairs). Both parties were represented by solicitors. The proceedings commenced with the solicitors stating that the parties agreed to have the justices hear the case. “This case is brought by arbitration—friendly arbitration—by two Irish people before an Irish court.” It was noted that previously evicted people began seeking redress and the Government of Ireland had to issue an order on the 20th June, 1920, preventing any claims regarding land to be made in Ireland. The court in April 1922 was being asked to decide the right of a tenant farmer, Michael Walsh, who was evicted from his 42 acre Glenmore farm 25 years previously.
Walsh, his wife and daughter were evicted by their landlord Strangman when 3 years’ rents were unpaid. Walsh’s solicitor explained, “It was not through the plan of campaign that he was evicted. If you cast your minds back to that period you will recollect at the time there was a terrible disease raging amongst cattle, and this poor man’s cattle died, one by one, until he had none left. As a consequence, he was unable to pay his rent and was evicted, and the farm was taken possession of by the present defendant, who is now before the court and is prepared to pay any compensation that the court may decide.” Walsh testified that the farm was boycotted after his eviction. He went to the landlord with a years’ rent but his landlord had rented the farm to Cottrell.
The most interesting aspect of the case was the testimony of Mary Anne Walsh who admitted on cross examination to having sent threatening letters to the defendant Cottrell. She had in one letter included an article where a man who occupied an evicted farm was executed by the I.R.A. in Tipperary. She wrote that what happened to him would happen to Cottrell. After admitting that she sent the letter she was asked if it was still her honest conviction and she said that it was. However, she agreed that she would abide with whatever the court ruled. The justices deliberated, and the chairman announced that they had decided to dismiss the claim (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 10).
Glenmore Deaths
DEATH OF MR. MICHAEL MAHER, GLENMORE—On Thursday last there was interred at Glenmore one of the fine old Type of South Kilkenny men, in the person of Mr. Michael Maher. Deceased, who had attained a fine old age, was most esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was father of the late Mr. John Maher, formerly of the firm of Power Brothers, drapers, Waterford. R.I.P. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Michael Maher was 82 years of age, was a widower, living at Rochestown, Glenmore and his son Michael was present when he died on 11 April 1922.
DEATH OF MRS. JOHANNA AYLWARD, GLENMORE—The death occurred of Mrs. Johanna Aylward, mother of the Very Rev. R. [Richard] Aylward, President St. Kieran’s College, at her residence, Ballinclare, Glenmore on Friday April 7th. She had attained her 88th year. She was devotedly attended to by the priests of the parish during her last illness. The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place to the family burial place in Glenmore. Solemn Requiem Office and Mass were celebrated at Glenmore. Right Rev. Mgr. Doyle, D.D., P.P., VG presided. The celebrant was Very Rev. R. Aylward, son of deceased. There was a large attendance of clergy (Munster Express, Sat. 22 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Johanna Aylward was a farmer’s widow and her son John was present when she died.
Blog Update—over the next few weeks we hope to expand the blog to publish some lists Danny Dowling compiled in 1960/1961 regarding Glenmore residents as well as photos and other items we hope that will be of interest to readers.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Miscarriage of Justice? The Case of Patrick Aylward of Rochestown, Mullinavat (1860-1935)
In addition to Glenmore related information Danny Dowling also collected a vast amount of information concerning people and events in nearby parishes and cities. Today, we are going to highlight the unusual case of Patrick Aylward, of Rochestown, Mullinavat who was accused of murdering the 18 month- old child of a neighbour. This case generated lurid headlines, questionable trial tactics and undoubtedly was the subject of conversation for quite some time in Glenmore and other local parishes.
Patrick Aylward (bapt. 7 April 1860) was the son of James Aylward and his wife, Nancy Delahunty of Rochestown, Mullinavat. Patrick had six known siblings: [1] John Aylward (bapt. 30 June 1849) [his mother on the baptismal record is recorded as Nancy Carroll]; [2] William Aylward (14 Aug. 1853-20 Oct. 1922); [3] Mary Aylward (bapt. 24 July 1856); [4] Mary Aylward (bapt. 7 July 1858); [5] Bridget Aylward (bapt. 21 March 1862); [6] Edward Aylward (b. 17 Sept. 1863).
Per the 1911 Census only William and John Aylward were living on the farm at Rochestown, Mullinavat. William’s age was recorded at 58 and John’s was recorded as 62. Patrick had emigrated to the US where he lived in Connecticut until he returned to Ireland to help his two brothers. William died in 1922 shortly after Patrick’s return after 39 years in the US.
The Inquest
Most of the information concerning the inquest regarding the death of William Holden was gleaned from the Munster Express (Sat. 12 May 1923, p. 5) and the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 5 May 1923, p. 8).
On the 21st of April 1923 William Holden, aged 18 months, the youngest of 9 children, suffered horrific burns to his back and arms. At the time the child was burned he had been left in the care of his 8 year old brother Patrick Holden. At five in the evening the mother, Mary Holden née Franklin left her four younger children in the care of 8 year-old Patrick. She told the Coroner that she went to Lisronan, about a quarter of a mile from her house to allegedly obtain an outfit for one of her children’s Confirmation. Although the country was turbulent she left the children alone and instructed Patrick to lock the door behind her. She alleged that William was in a bed not far from the fire, but although he was 18 months-old he could not walk or creep around the small house. At the time she left the children her husband, John Holden was at work. John Holden (c. 1862-1924) worked for James Malone, a farmer in Rochestown.
Mary Holden née Franklin stated that there was no fire screen; it was an open grate fireplace. The family burned wood. When she left the house she said that the fire was almost out. When asked whether the child had gotten out of bed and fallen into the kitchen fire she said it was impossible because the child could not walk or creep. She said that the other children could not lift him onto the fire. She said her husband came and told her that Willie was burned. She went home and found him in bed with burns. Her husband went to summon Dr. Coughlan of Waterford. She stated that her son Patrick said that Patrick Aylward had placed Willie on the fire. She testified that she had not been on good terms with Patrick Aylward for a long time. They had a row over a spring on Aylward’s land and there was a dispute where he accused her children of removing a stick from a gap. She alleged that he threw a stone at her and stated “I have great suspicion because I think the man would do anything. He struck me last November for little or no cause.”
Patrick Holden did not answer the Coroner when he was asked if he understood what it was to take an oath. The Coroner took the child’s unsworn testimony. The child testified that he did not go to school and was not able to write his name. The child testified that Patrick Aylward came to the door, knocked, came in without saying anything and put Willie on the fire. The child testified that Willie did not scream and that Aylward was only in the house a few minutes. When he left he lifted Willie off the fire and doused his clothes with water and put him in the bed. When another man came to the door he did not let him in and when his father came in from work he told him what happened. The father, John Holden admitted that he had been in a mental institution for two years and that another child of the family had suffered severe burns and died.
Mr. Healy one of the inquest jurors questioned the evidence. The mother stated that the boy Patrick could not lift the child onto the fire, but Patrick Holden stated that he lifted the child off of the fire.
Patrick Aylward testified that he was a farmer and resided at Rochestown, Mullinavat. He testified that from four o’clock he was with his brother and a friend taking care of a sick cow. He stated that he did not visit Holden’s house. Patrick Aylward stated that the last time he was at the Holden’s house was about five months previously when her boys were chasing his sow. He went to tell the mother to keep her boys from chasing his sow, and he alleged that she hit him in the head with a scrubbing brush. He said that he hit her back. “I have nothing against her; she may have it against me.” Although the Holdens had access to other water he allowed them to use a spring on his land. Previously he had threatened to stop them using the well if her children did not stop using his spring well for their toilet.
On Sunday, the father John Holden went to Patrick Aylward and accused him of putting his child on the fire. “Really I thought the man was crazy that was the first I knew of the child being burned. I didn’t believe it because I thought the man was crazy. I didn’t believe it until I saw the doctor come there….as far as I know this is the second child that was burned… I can not believe that any man would be guilty of taking a child and putting it in the fire to burn.” Aylward went on to state that he could not bear to look at a child burning on the fire not to say to do it himself. A charge like that should not be brought against a man.
Dr. Coughlan did not travel to Mullinavat until Sunday morning. He knocked on the Holden door but there was no answer. He saw Patrick Aylward and asked him where the Holden’s lived. Patrick Aylward stated that the father had accused him of putting a child in the fire, but he thought the man was crazy. The doctor returned to the Holden home and Mary eventually answered the door. He sent the burned child to Kilkenny Hospital where he died later that day.
The Coroner supposed they were all inclined to sympathise with the parents, but he did not know whether they should sympathise with the mother having regard to the fact that she left this little child and two other little children in the charge of a boy 8 years and 7 months old.
The jury retired, and after a short absence returned with a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony—“that the deceased died from shock and toxaemia as a result of burns received” but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the child came to get into the fire. “Mr. Healy—we consider that it is a matter for further investigation by the Civic Guard.”
The sequel to the inquest was that Patrick Aylward was arrested by the Civic Guard on a warrant for murder. He was brought before Mr. Molloy, District Justice, at a special court in Waterford Courthouse, and indicted on the capital charge. Formal evidence of arrest was given by Sergeant Jeremiah Kelly, of the Civic Guards stationed at Mullinavat, who deposed that he arrested the accused on a warrant at Rochestown and charged him with the murder of William Holden. After being cautioned Patrick Aylward said, “I did not do it.”
The Murder Trial
Most of the following information concerning the murder trial of Patrick Aylward was found in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 7 Dec.1923, p. 11).
The trial was held at the Commission in Green Street Courthouse on Monday the 3rd of December, before the Lord Chief Justice and a jury. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Carrigan, K.C. and Mr. Dudley White, KC (instructed by the Chief State Solicitor). Mr. M. J. Leanon (instructed by Mr. P.R. Buggy) defended. The newspaper noted that there were no women on the jury.
Barrister Carrigan, said that the prisoner was charged with a crime, which, if proved against him, was as terrible a crime as anyone described as a human being could commit. He was charged with having taken a helpless infant from its bed, put it on a fire, and roasted it so that the child died within 24 hours. It might be thought inconceivable that such a thing could happen, but it would be proved that the child died of burns that could not have been inflicted by itself. Counsel went on to say that the prisoner could not be a normal man at all. The house in which he lived was not fit for human habitation. He kept cattle on the ground floor, and the place was a veritable cesspool and manure heap and he lived in a loft. The case would rest on the evidence of the children.
Dr. Matthew Patrick Coughlan, testified that he could not answer whether the child could walk, but noted the boy had rickets. He opined that the child could creep around the kitchen. When the State’s Barrister asked if the defendant was a degenerate the doctor replied, “yes. When I met him at first I made up my mind that he was mentally abnormal… A degenerate is a person whose reason does not always control his actions, and might be subject to ungovernable impulses.”
Although Patrick Holden had not been able to answer if he understood an oath at the inquest, and had never been to school, the newspaper stated that the child showed extreme intelligence. The child at the trial also altered the evidence he gave at the inquest and stated that Patrick Aylward came in and said, “What do you meant letting goats into the haggard.” The child added that Patrick Aylward then broke a mug before burning the infant. The State then called Patrick’s younger brother, Michael Holden, who also stated that he saw Pat Aylward burning Willie on the fire. Patrick Aylward was also said to have risen a stick toward Michael Holden and said to the boys not to tell their mother or he would kill them. These statements and acts were not in the deposition previously made. Mary Holden testified that the burned child was not able to creep and that Mrs. Malone, a neightbour, dressed the burns with cotton wool. Interestingly Mrs. Malone does not appear to have been called as a witness.
William Alldrick, a farm labourer, testified that the defendant had asked him which of the children was burned. Alldrick informed the defendant that he was being blamed for the burning. Alldrick testified that the defendant then stated, “Don’t you think I have a soul to save as well as anyone else, or what do you think I am?”
Dr. Bartholomew Hackett (Mountjoy Prison) testified that he kept the defendant under close observation. He believed him to be fully responsible for his actions.
In addition to Sergeant Kelly, testifying when arrested the defendant stated, “I did not do it,” James O’Keefe (farmer), and John Aylward, brother of the defendant, were examined in support of an alibi. Unfortunately, the newspaper provided no detail concerning what the two men testified to at the trial.
At twenty-five minutes past seven o’clock the jury retired to consider their verdict. After ten minutes the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. The prisoner declared—“I am not guilty at all. I have not been in the house for five months. God forgive the woman that put that lie on me, and God forgive the jury.”
The Lord Chief Justice amazingly said the jury could come to no other conclusion on the evidence. A majority of the jury had made a recommendation to mercy. He would have that conveyed to the proper authority. Meanwhile he sentenced Patrick Aylward to be executed on Thursday, December 27th.
The Stay of Execution
On the day set for his execution, The Minister for Home Affairs announced that on the advice of the Executive Council, Patrick Aylward’s death sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life (Freeman’s Journal, Thur. 27 Dec. 1923, p.5). According to Colm Wallace, in Sentenced to Death: Saved from the Gallows (2016), several people including the Bishop of Ossory petitioned the government questioning the guilt of the elderly Patrick Aylward. The Bishop apparently mentioned the Holden family’s “bad moral character” as well as a previous incident where another Holden child burned to death in suspicious circumstances in 1910. Patrick Aylward was released from prison in 1932 and died 3 years later in Rochestown, Mullinavat.
The Holden Family
John Holden married Mary Franklin on 1 August 1905 at Owning, Parish of Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. His father was listed as Thomas Holden (farmer) and the bride’s father was listed as John Franklin (labourer). John Holden and Mary Holden née Franklin had nine children. We were able to locate the following children: [1] Margaret Holden (bapt. 20 April 1906) (married John Whelan 28 Oct. 1936, Mullinavat); [2] Catherine Holden (bapt 29 Apr. 1907); [3] Thomas Holden (b. 11 June 1908-8 Nov. 1910) Per the death register Thomas died, aged 2, from burns “accidentally received.” [4] John Holden (b. 20 Sept. 1909); [5] Patrick Holden was born 14 Sept. 1924 at Owning, Piltown. [6] Michael Holden was born at Owning on 29 Sept.1916; and [7] William Holden (c. 1921-1923).
John Holden, died in the Thomastown County Home, just three months after Patrick Aylward’s death sentence was commuted. John Holden became an inmate shortly after his son William died in April 1923 (Irish Independent, Thur. 13 March 1924, p. 8). According to the death registry John Holden died on 6 March 1924 of senile decay at the age of 62 or 65.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh